Witham Group Supports Award Winning WW2 Museum

‘We’ll Meet Again’ is an award-winning WW2 Homefront Museum, based at Freiston Shore, near Boston, Lincolnshire. This fantastic museum has won numerous awards including the Pride of Boston 2018 award, a Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Award in 2022, and the YMCA Age-friendly Business award in April 2023.

The museum was set up by husband-and-wife team, Paul and Linda Britchford in 2017. Paul and Linda had previously run a mobile museum visiting schools delivering a highly acclaimed teaching of life at home during WW2. This was so well received, they decided to set up a static museum for the public and have been adding to their comprehensive range of exhibits ever since.

 A LIFELONG INTEREST IN WW2

Back in 1969, Paul’s dad, Jeff, took Paul to see the Battle of Britain film. One of the first things that fired Paul’s imagination was news of the Hawker Hurricane fighter aircraft that had been placed on the Lincoln Odeon cinema’s roof to promote the film, which was set in the summer and autumn of 1940. From that point onwards, Paul’s interest in WW2 and all things military grew, and grew.

Today, the museum boasts a vast collection of artefacts and clothing from both world wars, from genuine soldier’s uniforms, to rations in their original packages – and even Sir Winston Churchill’s hole punch.

Another attraction includes a virtual reality Lancaster Bomber flight experience, where guests can sit in the cockpit and take control of a World War Two bomber. The cockpit and virtual reality footage, allows guests to take-off from RAF Coningsby and choose from a variety of flight plans, including a trip all the way up to the Lake District and back.

HOMEFRONT EXHIBITS

In the Homefront Hall there is a typical ‘shop’ counter of the period displaying numerous products and packaging items, from breakfast cereal to Sunlight Soap to Spam! The cash till, weighing scales and glass jars of sweets all add to the effect.

Members of the public have been very generous, and on occasion have donated WW2 items that have been in their possession for years or been owned by a close family member who has passed away and they wished to share their memories with others. One such item is an Anderson Shelter which is on display at the edge of the Parade Ground along with some wartime bicycles.

THE BLITZ EXPERIENCE

The museum also offers a Blitz Experience which offers a very impressive view of what it was like to be exposed to a WW2 bombing raid. The recorded narrative is delivered by an American WW2 reporter of the time. There are recorded sound effects, spotlights and smoke effects. Seating is provided and all in all, it’s a memorable example of what it must have been like for those who experienced it. The museum, staffed entirely by dedicated volunteers, has seen visitors from all over the world, including Japan and New Zealand, and has even been endorsed by the late Forces sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn herself. The museum’s estimated running costs are more than £40,000 a year, and the couple have poured their blood, sweat and tears, as well as their life savings, into the museum.

PROUD TO SUPPORT THIS FANTASTIC LEGACY

Sadly, Paul was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2022, and after working tirelessly to get the museum up and running and investing his life savings, he has kindly donated the business to Lincolnshire as a charity museum. This fantastic legacy will therefore be available to the Lincolnshire community for generations to come.

The Witham Group recently got to know the museum after we donated some paint for their restoration of a replica Hawker Hurricane from the Battle of Britain film. Paul has been very pleased with quality of paint and service from Witham. He explains:

“My friend Paul Needham recommended Witham Group’s paint for the restoration of a replica Hawker Hurricane, and we have been very impressed with the company and the quality of the paint. I painted all the camouflaged areas free hand to as they would have done in the war, and the paint was easy to apply with good coverage.

 We would like to say a huge thank you to Witham Group for their very kind and generous donation. We look forward to working with the Witham team again on any future projects at the museum.”

Read more about the restoration of the WW2 Hawker Hurricane replica here:
www.withamgroup.co.uk/blog/witham-supply-paint-for-restoration-of-movie-star-ww2-hawker-hurricane-replica/